ANI Foundation Builds Centre to Turn Park Communities into Entrepreneurs

By Godwin Agia, Jalingo

The Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation has commissioned a Women Development Centre in Tonga (Bodel), Gashaka Local Government Area of Taraba State, as part of efforts to transform communities surrounding the Gashaka Gumti National Park into economically empowered communities.

The centre, established through a partnership between the National Park Service and ANI Foundation, with support from the European Union (EU), is expected to serve women in Serti, Bodel, Goje and Mayo Selbe communities. The Foundation also commissioned three schools in the area.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Friday in Tonga (Bodel), Gashaka Local Government Area, the Executive Director of ANI Foundation, Mr. Tunde Morakinyo, said the Foundation had continued to attract support, including funding from the European Union, to drive development initiatives in and around the national park.

He highlighted some of the Foundation’s interventions, including support for farmers through beekeeping initiatives and the vaccination of thousands of cattle. He also disclosed plans to construct three blocks of classrooms in each community across Gashaka Local Government Area to improve access to education.

“The Women’s Development Centre was designed to provide a platform for women to come together, acquire relevant skills and improve their economic opportunities,” he said.

Also speaking, the Conservator of the Gashaka Gumti National Park, Mr. George Karngong, described the project as another milestone in the partnership between the National Park Service and ANI Foundation.

He said the centre would provide a platform for skills acquisition, cooperative activities, vocational training, agricultural processing and entrepreneurship.

According to him, other interventions by the Foundation include alternative livelihood programmes, scholarships, the construction of classrooms and teachers’ quarters, provision of potable water, cattle vaccination, volunteer ranger initiatives and environmental restoration.

He noted that the initiative aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Agbu Kefas’ development agenda, particularly in the areas of empowerment, infrastructure and job creation.

“The centre will also serve as a hub for the various women’s savings groups established by ANI Foundation in communities surrounding the park. It will enable them to mobilise savings, exchange ideas, access training and establish small-scale businesses to improve household incomes and economic independence,” he explained.

The Leader of the European Union Delegation, Mr. Iusan Liviu, expressed satisfaction with the initiative, describing it as a positive step towards community development and institutional strengthening.

He assured that the EU would continue to support ANI Foundation’s interventions to improve community welfare and strengthen the management of the park.

In his remarks, Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, represented by the Commissioner for Women and Child Development, Mrs. Mary Sinjen, commended ANI Foundation for its contributions and urged beneficiaries to develop a strong maintenance culture to ensure that the centre serves present and future generations.

The Chairman of Gashaka Local Government Council, Hon. Umar Alluran Gari, described ANI Foundation as a dependable partner in progress and urged residents to continue supporting the Foundation and the National Park Service.

He also called for intensified efforts to address the increasing influx of people into the park.

Similarly, the Lamdo of Gashaka, Alhaji Zubairu Hammangabdo, who spoke on behalf of traditional rulers from Bodel and Mayo Selbe, acknowledged the Foundation’s empowerment projects and urged residents to sustain their support for the Foundation and the National Park Service.

“ANI is here for progress. They have impacted positively on our people. Let us support conservation and the development of Gumti National Park,” he said.